MINNEAPOLIS ― The Miami Dolphins played at the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 4, with rine rookies dressed to play.
Unfortunately, rookie receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) was unable to go.
The Dolphins kept it closer than the experts expected for most the contest, but lost to the Vikings, 15-10.
Miami is 0-4. Minnesota is 4-0.
Here is a rookie report card for the Week 4 loss:
Miami Dolphins rookies report card at Minnesota Vikings
G Kadyn Proctor
Kadyn Proctor had a nice first-quarter trap block to help spring Ollie Gordon II for a first down run in the first quarter. Proctor has excellent movement skills, despite his enormous size.
While left tackle Patrick Paul struggled with four penalties in the first half, Proctor did not stand out for poor play. He can hold his own as a rookie.
The Dolphins had some big runs and
were not terrible in pass protection.
Gordon posted his first 100-yard rushing game and scored a touchdown.
Grade: B
CB Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson made a great tackle on third down that appeared short of the marker but was awarded as a Vikings first down.
Minnesota quarterback Kyler Murray was largely limited and rendered ineffective overall.
Grade: B
LB Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob Rodriguez had a tackle on third down to get the Vikings off the field on their first possession of the game. Rodriguez made a nice third-down tackle of a receiver after a short gain in the first quarter, forcing a field goal attempt.
Rodriguez is an absolute tackling machine. He ended the first quarter with five total tackles.
Grade: B+
WR Chris Bell
Chris Bell could not haul in a high pass from Malik Willis on third down in the first quarter.
Bell appeared to score a 68-yard touchdown in the second quarter after Malik Willis extended the play.
But was ruled to have gone out of bounds and re-entered play. A terribly bad break combined with the fact that Bell has to be aware of the sidelines.
Bell failed to haul in a deep ball that was broken up with less than six minutes to play and Miami trailing 15-10. It was a desperation throw into double coverage.
Grade: B
WR Kevin Coleman
Kevin Coleman caught a short pass from Malik Willis late in the first quarter.
Coleman failed to haul in a deep attempt from Willis.
Grade: C+
TE Will Kacmarek
Will Kacmarek caught a short pass over the middle on Miami's first play of the game.
Kacmarek could not haul in a medium-depth pass at start of the second half.
Grade: C+
S Michael Taaffe
Michael Taaffe started opposite Dante Trader at safety once again.
Trader was injured in the second quarter.
Taaffe was involved in some coverage against Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, who had an outstanding game.
Grade: C+
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rookie Jacob Rodriguez makes plays for Dolphins vs. Vikings
